Funding

Every year, including this one, thousands of people participate in voluntary work to protect and care for our biodiversity, as part of community groups or through managing biodiversity values on their own land. These contributions are vital to sustaining our natural heritage into the future.

This section lets you know what funds and grants are available to Canterbury groups and individuals. Funds are available for projects on both privately owned and public land.

 

NEW! Biodiversity Scholarship, Lincoln University

Environment Canterbury in association with Lincoln University has launched the Canterbury Biodiversity Post-graduate Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to provide assistance ($8000) for students undertaking thesis research at Lincoln University. Details and contact information can be found at the below link:

Scholarship flier (Pdf 480 KB)

 

NATIONAL FUNDS

Biodiversity Condition and Advice Funds

Up to $60,000 per project per year for a maximum project term of 3 years.
Advice Fund
Supports provision of information and advice to land managers to assist them in managing indigenous biodiversity, including projects that inspire landholders or groups to improve biodiversity on private land. Methods of providing information and advice could include field days, expert advice, publications, training, seminars, etc.
Condition Fund
Supports projects that enhance and maintain biodiversity on private land, particularly areas under legal protection, through activities such as fencing or pest control.
Eligibility: Private land only (includes Maori land)
Who can apply: Private landholders, community groups, NGOs.
Further information: www.biodiversity.govt.nz/land/nzbs/pvtland/condition.html or Ph: 0800 86 2020

Nature Heritage Fund

A contestable fund for the voluntary protection of indigenous ecosystems on private land. Funding for legal protection through direct purchase or covenanting, or for physical protection such as fencing. Aimed at protecting representative ecosystems on private land.
Eligibility: Private land
Who can apply:

Further information: www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=39023

Nga Whenua Rahui

Nga Whenua Rahui Fund
A contestable fund for the voluntary protection and restoration of indigenous ecosystems on Maori land. Funding for legal protection through kawenata (covenants) or the setting aside of areas as Maori reservations, for physical protection such as fencing, and for pest control.
Matauranga Kura Taio Fund
A contestable fund supporting hapu/iwi initiatives to retain and promote traditional Maori knowledge and its use in biodiversity management.
Eligibility: Maori owned land.
Who can apply: Organisations representative of hapu and iwi.
Further information: www.doc.govt.nz/templates/summary.aspx?id=43139

Sustainable Management Fund

Supports community groups, iwi, businesses and local government in undertaking practical actions that produce long-term environmental benefits. Minimum $10,000 and maximum $200,000.
Who can apply: community groups, iwi, businesses, local government.
Further information: www.smf.govt.nz

Sustainable Farming Fund

Supports community-driven projects designed to improve financial and environmental performance of farming and other agribusinesses.
Eligibility: Projects that are based around solving problems, or taking up opportunities, related to sustainable resource use.
Who can apply: "Communities of Interest" – groups of stakeholders drawn together by the common problem(s) or opportunity.
Further information: www.maf.govt.nz/sff/

QEII National Trust

Helps landowners to protect significant natural and cultural features on their land through open space covenants. Also may contribute funds for covenant projects and provides advice to landowners on managing their covenants.
Further information: www.openspace.org.nz/

NZ Game Bird Habitat Trust

The primary purpose of the Game Bird Habitat Trust Board is to distribute funding for the development and enhancement of wetland habitat for the benefit of game birds and other wetland inhabitants.
Eligibility: Private and public land.
Who can apply: Groups and individuals.
Further information: www.fishandgame.org.nz/Site/Environment/environmentGBHtrust.aspx

Habitat Protection Fund

Funding for community groups to restore, protect and enhance important biodiversity sites – waterways, mountains, bush, marine and coastal environments; on islands, in towns and cities and in their own backyards. Funding of between $2000 and $20,000 is considered.
Who can apply: Local habitat protection groups.
Further information: WWF Community Funding - Habitat Protection Fund

Lottery Environment and Heritage Grants

Grants for projects that promote, protect and conserve New Zealand's natural, physical and cultural heritage, such as native regeneration projects, captive breeding programmes, pest eradication programmes.
Further information: www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.NSF/wpg_URL/Services-Lottery-Grants-Environment-and-Heritage?OpenDocument or Phone: 0800 824 824

New Zealand National Parks and Conservation Foundation

Independent charitable trust promoting and supporting conservation and protection of our natural heritage.
Who can apply: Established non-profit community groups, individuals.
Further information: www.nationalparks.org.nz/npcf/index.cfm

Community Organisation Grant Scheme (COGS)

A fund administered by the Department of Internal Affairs, this grant provides support for not-for-profit organisations delivering community services or community run projects (including environment). Funding is available for rent, travel, volunteer and administrative expenses. Apply online through: www.cdgo.govt

REGIONAL FUNDS

Environment Canterbury Environment Enhancement Fund

A contestable annual fund that provides grants to individuals and groups working to protect and enhance Canterbury's indigenous biodiversity. Up to $5000 covering no more than 50% of a project's material costs is available. Fund includes the Honda TreeFund for the planting of native trees on public land.
Eligible: Private and public land (Honda TreeFund); projects within the Canterbury region.
Who can apply: individuals, landowners, and community, conservation and recreation groups.
Further information: www.ecan.govt.nz/About+Us/Awards/eef.htm

Christchurch City Council - Small Grants Fund

The Christchurch City Council operates a small grant fund that includes support for environmental projects being undertaken by community groups. Information on this is available from: www.ccc.govt.nz/Community/Funding/

Canterbury Community Trust Grants – Environmental Sector

Funding to initiate valuable programmes, complete worthwhile projects, or help obtain something, which ultimately benefits the community.
Eligibility: Projects that benefit the people of Canterbury (north of the Rakaia River ), Kaikoura/Marlborough or Nelson.
Who can apply: Incorporated societies, registered charitable trusts of community based organisations. (Unincorporated groups may apply for a maximum of $500)
Further information: www.commtrust.org.nz/Home

CANTERBURY DISTRICT FUNDS

Kaikoura District Council Biodiversity Contestable Fund

An annual fund of $15,000 to encourage and assist voluntary work that improves, benefits, enhances, restores or reinstates indigenous natural resources, particularly land, vegetation, wetlands or bird habitat, generally on private land. Maximum of $3000 per application.
Eligibility: Work relating generally to private land within the Kaikoura District.
Who can apply: Groups or individuals that are residents or ratepayers of the Kaikoura District.
Applications can be downloaded at:: www.kaikoura.govt.nz/our_services/sustainable_development/biodiversity/biofunding/index.htm

(Applications close at the end of March).

Mainpower Hurunui Natural Environment Fund

An annual fund of $10,000 to encourage and assist voluntary work that improves, benefits, enhances, restores or reinstates indigenous natural resources, particularly land, vegetation, wetlands or bird habitat, on public or private land. $7000 earmarked for projects that protect existing areas and $3000 for projects creating new areas.
Eligibility: Private or public land within the Hurunui district.
Who can apply: Groups or individuals that are residents or ratepayers of the Hurunui District.
Further information: www.hurunui.govt.nz/Services/Community/Awards/default.htm

Waimakariri Contestable Fund

An tri-annual contestable fund of $15,500, split between heritage sites and vegetation and habitat sites. Applications called for tri-annually but Council may decide not to distribute and to allow the fund to accumulate over several years.
Further information: www.waimakariri.govt.nz

Selwyn Natural Environment Fund

A contestable fund of $20,000 per year for the encouragement and support of landowners undertaking voluntary work that benefits the natural environment, and to support the continued identification and protection of on-farm biodiversity. General maximum of $5000 per application and usually no more than 50% of project's material costs.
Eligible: Projects on private land within the Selwyn District.
Who can apply: Residents and ratepayers of the Selwyn District – individuals or groups.
Further information: www.selwyn.govt.nz/ (click on Community Funding)

Timaru District Council Significant Natural Areas Fund

An annual contestable fund to assist and actively encourage landowners and members of the Timaru District community to manage, protect and enhance significant native vegetation and significant habitats of native fauna. Maximum of $5000 per application and up to 50% of project costs.
Eligible: Sites within Timaru District that are areas of significant native vegetation or significant habitats of native fauna.
Who can apply: Residents and ratepayers of the Timaru District – individuals or groups.
Further information: www.timaru.govt.nz/ (click on Funding in list at top left)

FUNDVIEW

FundView is a database of community funders throughout New Zealand that can be searched according to region/city. The database is a useful source of funding for community groups that also have an environmental focus. The information includes application requirements, criteria, closing dates, funding levels, contact details and other relevant information. Access to FundView is limited to subscribers, but most Councils have it available at public libraries. Contact your local Council for further information. FundView can also be found at www.fis.org.nz